Literacy + Numeracy | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/education/literacy+numeracy
Indexen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Tue, 31 Mar 2015 18:37:35 GMT2015-03-31T18:37:35Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
UK has more graduates but without skills and social mobility to matchhttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/sep/09/uk-more-graduates-skills-social-mobility-match-oecd
Report by OECD notes UK's 'quantum leap' in higher education access but highlights poor literacy and numeracy figures<p>The UK's massive expansion in university education has not led to a parallel increase in skills, an international study has discovered, with only a quarter of the country's graduates reaching the highest levels in literacy, well below other top-performing nations.</p><p>The annual education report by the <a href="http://www.oecd.org/" title="">Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development</a> (OECD) notes the &quot;quantum leap&quot; the UK has made in higher education access – for the first time, more people now gain a university or college qualification than have GCSEs or A-levels as their highest qualification. However, it says this has not been wholly matched by better skills, or by increased social mobility.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/sep/09/uk-more-graduates-skills-social-mobility-match-oecd">Continue reading...</a>Higher educationEducationOECDGlobal economyBusinessSchoolsSocial mobilitySocietyNumeracyMathematicsLiteracyUK newsTue, 09 Sep 2014 13:18:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/sep/09/uk-more-graduates-skills-social-mobility-match-oecdDan Kitwood/Getty ImagesWhile the UK has a high proportion of people with university or college qualifications the skill level for graduates was only average.
Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesDan Kitwood/Getty ImagesWhile the UK has a high proportion of people with university or college qualifications the skill level for graduates was only average.
Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesPeter Walker2014-09-09T13:18:00ZHelen Roberts obituaryhttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/aug/15/helen-roberts
<p>My wife, Helen Roberts, who has died of cancer aged 64, was an actor who later in life used her theatrical skills to help children develop both numeracy and literacy.</p><p>In 1973, in Swansea, she was a co-founder of Open Cast Theatre, which toured community venues in South Wales for seven years with original, challenging work that encouraged audiences to discuss productions and devise their own. Topics included conscientious objectors in the first world war, the Welsh miners' strike of 1925 and the sacrifice of homes in Swansea to a property scheme.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/aug/15/helen-roberts">Continue reading...</a>TheatreStageEducationTeachingLiteracyNumeracyMathematicsFri, 15 Aug 2014 17:56:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/aug/15/helen-robertsPRHelen Roberts played the mother of seven children in a series for Welsh televisionPRHelen Roberts played the mother of seven children in a series for Welsh televisionAndrew Cuthbert2014-08-15T17:56:34ZMichael Gove promises to abolish illiteracy and innumeracy in UKhttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/apr/01/michael-gove-promise-abolish-illiteracy-innumeracy-uk
Education secretary's pledge follows George Osborne's commitment to restore Britain to full employment<p>The education secretary, Michael Gove, has promised to abolish illiteracy and innumeracy in the UK, following George Osborne's pledge this week to create a full employment society.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/apr/01/michael-gove-promise-abolish-illiteracy-innumeracy-uk">Continue reading...</a>Michael GovePoliticsLiteracyNumeracyEducationGeorge OsborneConservativesEuropean electionsGCSEsRecessionUK newsTue, 01 Apr 2014 16:05:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/apr/01/michael-gove-promise-abolish-illiteracy-innumeracy-ukStefan Rousseau/PAMichael Gove's speech is part of a co-ordinated Conservative attempt to paint a big picture of where a second-term Tory government will take the country. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PAStefan Rousseau/PAMichael Gove's speech is part of a co-ordinated Conservative attempt to paint a big picture of where a second-term Tory government will take the country. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PAPatrick Wintour2014-04-01T16:05:17ZCollaborative problem-solving, ie project work, is back in fashion | Fran Abramshttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/feb/25/pisa-tables-assess-collaborative-problem-solving-michael-gove
The next international Pisa tables will for the first time assess one of Michael Gove's pet hates. How will schools fare?<p>Facts are rushing out of Sam Goodwin almost as if he's unable to stop them. &quot;It was one of the archers who shot Harold in his eye. William was a Norman, and the English were much better equipped, so William didn't want to get into all that because he didn't have much on him, only a sword and a chest-plate …&quot; He pauses, just momentarily, then explains: &quot;I feel exploded, with lots of information about it in my head!&quot;</p><p>Sam, who's 11 and a pupil at Stanley Park high school in Carshalton, Surrey, is talking about the project that has taken up about half his lesson time over the past six weeks. With the rest of his class he's been working on a book – now published in hardback by the pupils' own publishing company – entitled The Miserable Middle Ages. Sam's part was to produce a double-page spread on the battle of Hastings.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/feb/25/pisa-tables-assess-collaborative-problem-solving-michael-gove">Continue reading...</a>Secondary schoolsTeachingLiteracyNumeracyScienceMathematicsSchoolsEducationMichael GovePoliticsTue, 25 Feb 2014 07:35:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/feb/25/pisa-tables-assess-collaborative-problem-solving-michael-goveMartin Godwin/GuardianIs Gove now out of step? Project-based learning at Stanley Park high school, Carshalton, Surrey.
Photograph: Martin Godwin for the GuardianMartin Godwin/GuardianIs Gove now out of step? Project-based learning at Stanley Park high school, Carshalton, Surrey.
Photograph: Martin Godwin for the GuardianFran Abrams2014-02-25T07:35:00ZLabour would make jobseeker's allowance claimants take skills courseshttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jan/19/labour-jobseekers-allowance-jsa-benefit-english-maths-basic-skills
Rachel Reeves to confirm claimants would have to take English and maths courses as condition of getting benefit<p>Labour would force jobseeker's allowance claimants with inadequate maths or English to go on basic skills courses as a condition of receiving their benefit, Rachel Reeves, the shadow work and pensions secretary, will say on Monday .</p><p>It is estimated that one in 10 of Britain's 250,000 monthly new JSA claimants have inadequate maths or English, two skills critical to finding work. Nearly 20% of those with repeat claims have problems with reading or numeracy. Labour said the pledge could be funded from the existing skills programme.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jan/19/labour-jobseekers-allowance-jsa-benefit-english-maths-basic-skills">Continue reading...</a>BenefitsUnemploymentLabourRachel ReevesTheresa MayIain Duncan SmithUnemployment and employment statisticsWork & careersWelfareLiteracyNumeracyMathematicsJob huntingEducationPoliticsHousingCommunitiesHousing benefitMoneySocietyEconomicsJob lossesBusinessUK newsUK unemployment and employment statisticsSun, 19 Jan 2014 22:02:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jan/19/labour-jobseekers-allowance-jsa-benefit-english-maths-basic-skillsBloomberg/via Getty ImagesIt is estimated that one in 10 of Britain’s 250,000 monthly new JSA claimants have inadequate maths or English. Photograph: Bloomberg/via Getty ImagesBloomberg/via Getty ImagesIt is estimated that one in 10 of Britain’s 250,000 monthly new JSA claimants have inadequate maths or English. Photograph: Bloomberg/via Getty ImagesPatrick Wintour, political editor2014-01-19T22:02:00ZJobless young people without basic skills told to learn or lose benefitshttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/dec/05/jobless-young-people-basic-skills-learn-lose-benefits
Unemployed 18 to 21-year-olds without basic maths and English will only get benefits if they undergo 16 hours of training a week<p>Unemployed teenagers who leave school without basic English and maths will be forced to go back to the classroom for 16 hours a week or lose their benefits under new rules announced by George Osborne.</p><p>The chancellor said he wanted to get rid of a &quot;culture of worklessness&quot; among some school-leavers, as he unveiled a package of measures to get some of Britain's one million unemployed young people into jobs.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/dec/05/jobless-young-people-basic-skills-learn-lose-benefits">Continue reading...</a>Youth unemploymentUnemploymentYoung peopleWork & careersWelfareLiteracyNumeracyHousing benefitApprenticeshipsJob huntingGeorge OsborneUK newsPoliticsMoneyEducationSocietyEconomicsThu, 05 Dec 2013 19:06:44 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/dec/05/jobless-young-people-basic-skills-learn-lose-benefitsBloomberg/via Getty ImagesGeorge Osborne said the job market for young people would be given a boost by scrapping National Insurance contributions for companies when they hire under-21s. Photograph: Bloomberg/via Getty ImagesBloomberg/via Getty ImagesGeorge Osborne said the job market for young people would be given a boost by scrapping National Insurance contributions for companies when they hire under-21s. Photograph: Bloomberg/via Getty ImagesRowena Mason and Patrick Wintour2013-12-05T19:06:44ZDear Tristram Hunt… | Peter Wilbyhttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/15/tristram-hunt-advice-michael-gove
How can the new shadow education secretary combat Michael Gove and offer a convincing set of Labour policies? Some ideas from <strong>Peter Wilby</strong><p>Congratulations on your appointment as shadow education secretary. As a former editor who once had the privilege of publishing your work, I hope you will not mind my offering some friendly advice.</p><p>Michael Gove is a difficult minister to oppose: he is intelligent, well read, witty, menacingly courteous and utterly convinced of his own rightness. Above all, as a former news editor, he has an unerring eye for a headline that will play to a mass audience. Your predecessor Stephen Twigg once pleaded &quot;guilty to nuance&quot;, and that was his undoing. Gove doesn't do nuance. Do not give him an inch. Focus relentlessly on the chief weaknesses of his policies: for all his rhetoric about setting schools free, they give the holder of his office unprecedented power; they do nothing about the chief obstacles to achieving high standards for all children; they look backwards, not forwards. You should also develop and sell to parents and teachers a clear alternative.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/15/tristram-hunt-advice-michael-gove">Continue reading...</a>SchoolsEducationTristram HuntNumeracyLiteracySchool admissionsSecondary schoolsAcademiesFree schoolsExamsA-levelsEducation policyVocational educationPoliticsTue, 15 Oct 2013 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/15/tristram-hunt-advice-michael-goveSarah Lee/GuardianTristram Hunt, the new shadow education secretary, must surely realise that more of the same cannot solve the UK's education problems, says Peter Wilby. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the GuardianSarah Lee/GuardianTristram Hunt, the new shadow education secretary, must surely realise that more of the same cannot solve the UK's education problems, says Peter Wilby. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the GuardianPeter Wilby2013-10-15T07:00:00ZAre poor literacy rates caused by laziness … or bad film titles? | Bridget Christiehttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/13/oecd-literacy-survey-grammar-education-gove
There's general apathy about grammar – just look at shop signs and misspelt movie names<p>According to a really expensive study carried out by Noel Edmonds' Sky1 quiz programme <a href="http://www.skyoneonline.co.uk/are_you_smarter/" title="">Are You Smarter Than a 10 Year Old?</a>, millions of English adults cannot read, write or add up better than primary-school children. Furthermore, one in six adults can only just about decipher a menu (the type you find in a greasy-spoon cafe, not one of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/hestonblumenthal" title="">Heston Blumenthal</a>'s – even Heston can't read those). But even if they can order an egg, because it only has three letters in it, they still don't understand quantities. Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, asked Edmonds if this was why we were all so fat and a drain on the NHS, and Noel said it was, yes. Hunt smirked, and then they went off to bounce on the trampoline for a bit because all the swings were taken.</p><p>Poverty and social inequality have been blamed for the results of the survey, which – back in the real world – was carried out by the OECD and put <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/oecd-adult-literacy-numeracy-uk-poverty-inequality" title="">England close to the bottom in literacy and numeracy among 16- to 24-year-olds in developed nations</a>. This is despite Michael Gove, the education secretary, and his badminton partner Toby Young doing all they can to improve literacy and numeracy for their own children, and the children of all their friends. But this problem pre‑exists Gove. It doesn't pre-exist Young though, who has been around since the first school opened here in 597. That's why he feels qualified to keep going on Newsnight to talk about education. It also explains why he has a painting of a really old-looking baby in his attic, and his silly, old-fashioned views on women.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/13/oecd-literacy-survey-grammar-education-gove">Continue reading...</a>LiteracyNumeracyEducationMichael GovePoliticsSun, 13 Oct 2013 19:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/13/oecd-literacy-survey-grammar-education-goveAlamyA survey by the OECD has put England close to the bottom for literacy among young people in developed nations. Photograph: AlamyAlamyA survey by the OECD has put England close to the bottom for literacy among young people in developed nations. Photograph: AlamyBridget Christie2013-10-13T19:00:00ZLetters: Lessons to be learned from lagging in the 3Rshttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/10/3rs-oecd-english-literacy-numeracy
<p>The findings of the OECD that English and Northern Irish 16- to 24-year-olds perform poorly in tests of literacy and numeracy is as predictable as it is depressing (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/oct/08/uk-economy-warning-oecd-education" title="">Young adults falling behind rest of world on the 3Rs</a>, 9 October).</p><p>You go on to discuss the didactic pedagogical approaches of two of the top performers, Japan and South Korea. However, by ignoring the fact that quite different educational practices characterise the other two top performing countries, Finland and the Netherlands, you fail to see that it is not educational approaches at a micro level that are responsible. So what, at a more macro level, might be common to all four of these high-performing countries? Well, all have relatively comprehensive educational systems that reflect cohesive societies with relatively low levels of income inequality. It is no surprise that our blushes are only slightly spared by the even more abysmal performance of young adults in the US.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/10/3rs-oecd-english-literacy-numeracy">Continue reading...</a>EducationLiteracyNumeracyMathematicsUK newsOECDGlobal economyBusinessThu, 10 Oct 2013 20:01:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/10/3rs-oecd-english-literacy-numeracySteve Lyne/Rex Features'The aim is no longer to educate the child for life but to keep the school out of trouble.' Photograph: Steve Lyne/Rex FeaturesSteve Lyne/Rex Features'The aim is no longer to educate the child for life but to keep the school out of trouble.' Photograph: Steve Lyne/Rex FeaturesGuardian Staff2013-10-10T20:01:03ZAustralia ranks fifth in literacy and 13th in numeracy, says OECDhttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/09/australia-ranks-fifth-in-literacy-and-13th-in-numeracy-says-oecd
Australia outperforms both US and UK in basic skills survey of 24 countries in which Japan and Finland do best<p>Australia comes fifth in a new OECD ranking of basic literacy, but 13th in a ranking for basic numeracy, with recession-hit European nations Italy and Spain coming last in both lists.</p><p><a href="http://www.keepeek.com/Digital-Asset-Management/oecd/education/oecd-skills-outlook-2013_9789264204256-en#page27">A new survey</a> of 24 countries by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development makes for sobering reading around many parts of Europe, France and Ireland placed in the bottom quarter of both lists.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/09/australia-ranks-fifth-in-literacy-and-13th-in-numeracy-says-oecd">Continue reading...</a>Australia newsOECDLiteracyNumeracyWed, 09 Oct 2013 00:26:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/09/australia-ranks-fifth-in-literacy-and-13th-in-numeracy-says-oecdPhotograph: Alamyserious young student reading a book in a library Photograph: AlamyOliver Laughland and agencies2013-10-09T00:26:49ZEducation in England: sliding down the class | Editorialhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/08/education-england-oecd-report
The OECD report suggests that improving GCSE results and rising university enrolment may have been statistical mirages<p>It wasn't Michael Gove, David Blunkett or even Kenneth Baker who first whipped up a fuss about &quot;informal methods of teaching&quot;, and suggested a restored emphasis on the three Rs. No, it was prime minister James Callaghan, in <a href="http://education.guardian.co.uk/thegreatdebate/story/0,9860,574645,00.html" title="">a speech</a> at Ruskin College in 1976. For four decades England has fretted about falling behind in the educational basics. And throughout those four decades, a <a href="http://skills.oecd.org/OECD_Skills_Outlook_2013.pdf" title="">thumping great OECD report</a> concluded on Tuesday, far from the problem having been righted, England has <em>increasingly</em> had a real problem to worry about.</p><p>Out of 24 nations, English young adults now rank <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/england-young-people-league-table-basic-skills-oecd" title="">22nd for literacy and 21st for numeracy</a>, which sounds bad enough, but the sinister twist is how things have got worse as the years go by. In most wealthy countries, the expectation is that each generation will always be better-schooled than the last; improving GCSE results and rising university enrolment implied England fitted the pattern. The <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/interactive/2013/oct/08/where-do-the-literacy-numeracy-gaps-fall-interactive" title="">new data</a> suggests that these things may have been statistical mirages. The over-55s proved better than the youngsters with numbers and letters alike which means, as the international thinktank bluntly put it, &quot;England is the only country where the oldest age group has higher proficiency in both literacy and numeracy than the youngest group&quot;.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/08/education-england-oecd-report">Continue reading...</a>EducationEducation policyOECDBusinessPoliticsSocietyPovertyEqualityLiteracyNumeracySocial exclusionTue, 08 Oct 2013 22:28:50 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/08/education-england-oecd-reportEditorial2013-10-08T22:28:50ZBusiness leaders issue stark warning following OECD education studyhttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/oct/08/uk-economy-warning-oecd-education
CBI chief says England's position near bottom of global league table of young adult education risks economic 'car crash'<p>Britain's business leaders have warned that the country risks an economic &quot;car crash&quot; as a respected international thinktank issued a stark warning that millions of English adults cannot read, write or add up better than primary school children.</p><p>An investigation by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found that a quarter of adults in England have maths skills no better than a 10-year-old, a conclusion that also prompted a political row in which the Conservatives attacked Labour's record in government.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/oct/08/uk-economy-warning-oecd-education">Continue reading...</a>OECDEconomic growth (GDP)EconomicsBusinessGlobal economyLiteracyEducationNumeracyMathematicsConfederation of British Industry (CBI)Tue, 08 Oct 2013 20:57:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/oct/08/uk-economy-warning-oecd-educationDominic Lipinski/PAA landmark report by the OECD found that a quarter of adults in England have the maths skills of a 10-year-old child. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PADominic Lipinski/PAA landmark report by the OECD found that a quarter of adults in England have the maths skills of a 10-year-old child. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PARandeep Ramesh, social affairs editor2013-10-08T20:57:49ZOECD literacy leagues: poverty and inequality blamed for England's resultshttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/oecd-adult-literacy-numeracy-uk-poverty-inequality
Problem may lie in lack of encouragement and opportunity for people to study once they have left school<p><strong> </strong></p><p>A failure to sustain education post 16 and the deep-rooted problems of poverty and social inequality have been blamed for England's poor showing in the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/england-young-people-league-table-basic-skills-oecd" title="">OECD survey of adult skills</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/oecd-adult-literacy-numeracy-uk-poverty-inequality">Continue reading...</a>EducationLiteracyNumeracySocial exclusionSocietyOECDBusinessSchoolsGCSEsEducation policyUK newsWorld newsTue, 08 Oct 2013 20:45:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/oecd-adult-literacy-numeracy-uk-poverty-inequalityDon Mcphee/GuardianThe OECD survey found low levels of achievement in numeracy and literacy tests among the UK population. Photograph: Don Mcphee for the GuardianDon Mcphee/GuardianThe OECD survey found low levels of achievement in numeracy and literacy tests among the UK population. Photograph: Don Mcphee for the GuardianRichard Adams, education editor2013-10-08T20:45:27ZOECD report ‘sobering’, says skills minister - videohttp://www.theguardian.com/education/video/2013/oct/08/skills-minister-oecd-report-sobering
The skills minister says a report which shows 16- to 24-year-olds in England's literacy and numeracy skills are worse than their grandparents' is 'sobering'. Matthew Hancock says the group is amongst the worst in the world for maths and English. The OECD study also found a quarter of adults in England have the maths skills of a 10-year-old <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/video/2013/oct/08/skills-minister-oecd-report-sobering">Continue reading...</a>LiteracyNumeracyEducationOECDBusinessSocietyUK newsTue, 08 Oct 2013 19:33:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/education/video/2013/oct/08/skills-minister-oecd-report-soberingDominic Lipinski/PAChild doing schoolwork Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PAGuardian Staff2013-10-08T19:33:04ZSteve Bell on the damning OECD report on basic skills – cartoonhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cartoon/2013/oct/08/oecd-michael-gove-literacy-numeracy-cartoon
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cartoon/2013/oct/08/oecd-michael-gove-literacy-numeracy-cartoon">Continue reading...</a>Michael GoveLiteracyNumeracySocial exclusionEducationTue, 08 Oct 2013 19:05:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cartoon/2013/oct/08/oecd-michael-gove-literacy-numeracy-cartoonCopyright Steve Bell 2012/GuardianSteve Bell 09.10.2013 Photograph: Copyright Steve Bell 2012 for the GuardianSteve Bell2013-10-08T19:05:20ZThis literacy report is not a story of England's national decline | Stefan Collinihttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/08/oecd-literacy-report-class-failing-schools
The OECD survey will be cherry-picked by the doomsayers, but in fact it says more about class than 'failing' schools<p>England is the only country in the developed world where 16- to 24-year-olds have lower levels of literacy and numeracy than their grandparents, says the first <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/england-young-people-league-table-basic-skills-oecd" title="">OECD skills survey</a>. Ha, just as we thought! Our schools are failing us, the older ways of education were better, other countries are getting ahead, everything is going to the dogs.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/08/oecd-literacy-report-class-failing-schools">Continue reading...</a>LiteracyNumeracySocial exclusionSocietySchoolsEducationOECDUK newsGlobal economyBusinessTue, 08 Oct 2013 18:40:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/08/oecd-literacy-report-class-failing-schoolsEye Ubiquitous/AlamyPupils sitting an exam Photograph: Eye Ubiquitous/AlamyEye Ubiquitous/AlamyPupils sitting an exam Photograph: Eye Ubiquitous/AlamyStefan Collini2013-10-08T18:40:15ZEnglish literacy and numeracy – nothing short of a national disgracehttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/english-literacy-numeracy-national-disgrace
The OECD's damning verdict is a wake-up call we cannot afford to ignore if we want to avert economic decline<p>Some people reading the findings of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/england-young-people-league-table-basic-skills-oecd" title="">this OECD report</a> will be shocked and wonder just what is going on in our education and training system. To others, including myself and many employers, the findings are no great surprise, however sobering it is to see in print the relatively poor standards of literacy and numeracy among our 16- to 24-year-olds. The situation is nothing short of a disgrace and, more importantly, a serious brake on the future aspirations of our young people.</p><p>The problem, however, is not new; it has been around for at least 20 years, if not longer. Successive governments have sought to tackle it, but clearly, as this study shows, there has been little or no success.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/english-literacy-numeracy-national-disgrace">Continue reading...</a>LiteracyOECDGlobal economyBusinessFurther educationExamsSchoolsEducationSixth formNumeracyTue, 08 Oct 2013 18:23:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/english-literacy-numeracy-national-disgraceChris Radburn/PA'You only have to speak to our universities to hear concerns about the levels of literacy and numeracy among undergraduates with good GCSE and A-level grades.' Photograph: Chris Radburn/PAChris Radburn/PA'You only have to speak to our universities to hear concerns about the levels of literacy and numeracy among undergraduates with good GCSE and A-level grades.' Photograph: Chris Radburn/PASir Michael Tomlinson2013-10-08T18:23:16ZWhy do Japanese children lead the world in numeracy and literacy?http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/08/why-do-japanese-children-lead-world-numeracy-literacy
Emphasis on rote learning, theory and compulsory study to age of 18 pays off, but critics say it stifles critical thought<p>Japan's state education system is often criticised for quashing original thought among pupils in favour of rote learning, and for placing an emphasis on theory rather than practical skills, especially when it comes to English. But it is this traditional approach that has helped <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/italy-spain-oecd-literacy-numeracy-league-table" title="">Japanese pupils easily outperform</a> their counterparts in England and Northern Ireland.</p><p>Formal, intense instruction in maths and the Japanese language begins at the age of six and continues through to 15, the earliest age at which pupils can leave school. Those who elect to go on to senior high school – the rough equivalent of an English sixth form college and a traditional route to higher education – through to age 18 must study an eclectic range of subjects, including maths, Japanese literature and English.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/08/why-do-japanese-children-lead-world-numeracy-literacy">Continue reading...</a>JapanWorld newsLiteracyEducationNumeracyEducation policyPoliticsSchoolsTue, 08 Oct 2013 13:24:58 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/08/why-do-japanese-children-lead-world-numeracy-literacyToshiyuki Aizawa/ReutersIn Japan, intense instruction in maths and the Japanese language begins at the age of five and continues to at least 15. Photograph: Toshiyuki Aizawa/ReutersToshiyuki Aizawa/ReutersIn Japan, intense instruction in maths and the Japanese language begins at the age of five and continues to at least 15. Photograph: Toshiyuki Aizawa/ReutersJustin McCurry in Tokyo2013-10-08T13:24:58ZEngland's young people near bottom of global league table for basic skillshttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/england-young-people-league-table-basic-skills-oecd
OECD finds 16- to 24-year-olds have literacy and numeracy levels no better than those of their grandparents' generation<p>England is the only country in the developed world where the generation approaching retirement is more literate and numerate than the youngest adults, according to the first skills survey by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/england-young-people-league-table-basic-skills-oecd">Continue reading...</a>LiteracyOECDEducationUK newsNumeracySocial exclusionSocietyTue, 08 Oct 2013 13:06:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/oct/08/england-young-people-league-table-basic-skills-oecdGetty Images/Digital VisionThe survey shows that out of 24 nations, young adults in England rank 22nd for literacy. Photograph: Getty Images/Digital VisionRandeep Ramesh, social affairs editor2013-10-08T13:06:00ZBeing bad at maths is not something to be proud of | Deborah Orrhttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2012/mar/03/deborah-orr-numeracy-literacy
It has taken a long&nbsp;time for Britain's shortcomings in literacy to be acknowledged – now we must do the same for numeracy<p>A few weeks ago, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/17/i-couldnt-read-until-i-was-60" title="">Sue Chapman wrote a&nbsp;moving piece</a> for the Guardian's Weekend magazine, describing how wonderful it was to have learned to read at the age of 60. She also told of the many years she had spent hiding her terrible secret. Perhaps if illiteracy wasn't considered quite such a terrible secret, seeking help wouldn't be so daunting.</p><p>Or perhaps not. A report from the new charity, <a href="http://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/news/9/index.htmlindex.html" title="">National Numeracy</a>, says that almost half of British adults have the maths skills of a primary school child. Ineptitude at maths is presented as an endearing foible, rather than a fundamental failing. But the charity argues that good numeracy is &quot;an even clearer indicator of economic and personal success&quot; than literacy. It has taken a long&nbsp;time for our shortcomings in the teaching of literacy to be acknowledged. The heart sinks at the prospect of another long struggle to persuade the nation that numbers count.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2012/mar/03/deborah-orr-numeracy-literacy">Continue reading...</a>NumeracyMathematicsEducationLiteracySat, 03 Mar 2012 00:30:44 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2012/mar/03/deborah-orr-numeracy-literacyFuse/Getty Images/FuseIneptitude at maths is presented as an endearing foible, rather than a fundamental failing, writes Deborah Orr. Photograph: Fuse/Getty Images/FuseFuse/Getty Images/FuseIneptitude at maths is presented as an endearing foible, rather than a fundamental failing, writes Deborah Orr. Photograph: Fuse/Getty Images/FuseDeborah Orr2012-03-03T00:30:44Z